The Purpose of the Fourth Side of Your Cheese Grater

If you’ve ever grabbed your trusty cheese grater from the drawer and paused at that one mysterious side—you’re not alone. While most of us know how to use the first three sides of a box grater, the fourth side often goes overlooked. But believe it or not, it serves a powerful purpose in the kitchen.

The Familiar Three Sides

• Large holes: Ideal for shredding semi-hard cheeses like cheddar or Gruyère into fluffy, melt-ready pieces.
• Medium holes: Perfect for finely grating cheese, vegetables, or chocolate with more texture.
• Slicing side: Those wide slits easily slice cheese or vegetables like cucumbers and zucchini.

But What About the Fourth Side?

The fourth side, with its tiny, sharp-edged holes, is often misunderstood. But it’s not just a design quirk—it’s a fine grater, and it opens up a whole new world of kitchen possibilities.

What It’s Really For

This fine grating side is perfect for creating powdery, delicate shavings. Use it when you want to:

• Grate hard cheeses like Parmesan into fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth toppings for pasta or risotto.
• Zest citrus fruits like lemons and oranges to infuse baked goods or dressings with fresh flavor.
• Grate nutmeg, garlic, or ginger for bold, evenly distributed flavor in sauces and marinades.
• Create ultra-fine breadcrumbs for finishing casseroles or coating meats.

The Secret Kitchen MVP

Using the fourth side of your grater is like discovering a hidden feature on an everyday gadget. It might not look like much, but once you start using it, you’ll realize just how essential it is. From sauces to salads, this unsung hero helps your ingredients blend smoothly and taste even better.

So next time you’re cooking, don’t ignore that fourth side. It just might become your favorite part of the grater.